Improvement in earth closets



UNITED STATES 'i FFICE.

PATENT IMPROVEMENT IN'EARTH- CLOSETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 119,376, dated September 26, 1871.

' of which the following is a specication:

Figure l is a side elevation of my privy-closet. Fig. 2 is a side view of the adjustable frame or cover, the hopper beingremoved therefrom. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the hopper, the cover being partly withdrawn. Fig. 4. is aplan view of wedges Vfor covering the portable closet. Fig. 5 is a top view of my privy-closetwith the hopper thereon. Fig. 6 is a plan view, showing the uncovered seat when the sliding door` is pushed backward. Fig. 7 is a vertical front view of my device. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the perforated tank.

My invention relates to an improved 4method of constructing portable or stationary privyclosets for economizing night-soil while disinfecting and deodoriz'mg the feces; it consists of the box A, the adjustable-frame B with the seat b, the interior perforated box or drawer O, the hopper D, sliding cover E, conductor-F, longitudinal spring Gr, weights H H, guides I I, and trap-doors or aprons a and f, and apron g, and the construction, combination, and arrangement thereof, substantially as shown and described. y

A represents the walls or incaseinent of my portable or stationary privy-closet, which may be constructed of metal, wood, or other suitable material, the frame above the line d, Fig. 1, be`

ing adjustable, but secured, in practice, to the lower part thereof by hooks and staples e e, or other well-known mechanical appliance. The front of the incasement A is either rigidly attached to the longitudinal sides or walls of the device, or it may be constructed as a door, located a few lines above the bottom of the perforated metallic case or drawer G. Said incasement A is also provided with a door on either side thereof for removing and supplying filtering material, and with the partial cover d', which is rigidly attached thereto. A recess, for the reception of the seat b, which latter is rigidly attached to the adjustable frame B, is formed on the longitudinal walls of `the caseA by the projecting apex of the front L and the partial cover d. The longitudinal sides of the closet have attached thereto the staples M M, and when it is designed -to remove the device cords are fastened Y and also a few lines above the seat.

` thereto. The adjustable frame and cover B are composed of the longitudinal pieces l? Q and the lateral piece S and seat b, the longitudinal pieces P having provided therein the recesses T, for the reception of the hopper D. The longitudinal pieces Q are grooved forv the reception of tongues, provided on the sliding door or cover E, said tongues and grooves being designed as a guide for the sliding door aforesaid. To the adjustable frame B is rigidly attached the seat b, the latter having an aperture therein; and appended to the seat, and projecting at an angle beneath the same, is the hinged distributing apron g, which has rigidly attached thereto the lever w, which projects into a slot in the seat at W, (See Figs. 2 and 7 i When the bolt y, which bolts into a vertical oriiice in the sliding cover E, is withdrawn, the said sliding cover is caused, by the action of the weights H and spring G, to return to the position of a cover, as shown in Fig. 5; and in returning it comes into contact with lever W and thereby lifts the apron, which agitates disinfecting and deodorizing powder simultaneously thrown thereupon. i

G, Fig. 8, isa perforated metallic or. frame tank, drawer, or box, of dimensions smaller than the interior of the case A, to admit in the recess thereby formed charcoal or other ltering material and diluted muriatic acid to abate foul odors. vThe said tank or receptacle may be constructed with but three walls, two longitudinal and a lateral rear wall; or a wall may also beprovided in front as well as rear, thus forming an interior box or drawer, which may be slid into a tight wooden box when the closet is permanently stationary. The bottom of the tank or drawer (l and its sides are alike perforated, and the former is located a few lines above the door of the incasement A, for the reception of a iiltering material and diluted acid, and also for the better drainage of fluid from the fecal matter, for which latter purpose said bottomhas projecting above the same the vertical pipes p. rlhe incasement A is also provided withan aperture either in front or rear, to which a conduit is attached for draining or conducting the fluid therefrom to any suitable receptacle therefor. To the sliding door or cover E is attached the .metallic bar O', which is perforated at either end thereof at d', for the insertion of hooks, to which the cords and weights H are fastened, Fig. l. rEhe metallic projections or checks j', in conjunction with the bar C', are designed to prevent the sliding door from being slid or drawn beyond its intended position. To the sliding' door or adjustable cover E is attached the trap-door or apron a, (see Fig. 2,) which, being hinged, swings by its own gravity into a vertical position when the sliding door or cover E is iiush with the front of the case A but when said door or cover is forced back, thereby exposing the orifice in the privyseat, said door is brought into contact with the privy-seat and is pressed into a groove formed on its face at a, to the rear of the orifice, and at the same time is lifted by said contact into a horizontal position, thus forming a bottom to the recess f in the conductor F. On the top of the sliding door E is rigidly -secured a conductor or trough, F, which receives from the hopper D a disinfecting and deodorizin g compound. rlhe sliding door when forced back is secured in position by the bolt y, Fig. 5, which rits into an aperture provided in the door E, and when Vthus i secured the recess f in the 'conductor F is in a verticalv line with or immediately beneath the funnel g of the hopper D, and when said recess is in this position there flows into it from the hopper a deodorizing and disinfecting compound. When the bolt aforesaid is withdrawn the sliding door and the conductor of the compound return to their former position; and hence the trapdoor a in its return repasses the groove in the seat and again gravitates to its former vertical position, thus emptying the contents of the recess f received 'om the hopper upon the apron g, which latter simultaneously throws it backward as the sliding door E comes into contact with the lever W connected with apron g. To the sliding door E is also attached a trap-door, f, which swings into a vertical position when the door E is pushed back and secured by the bolt y, but which is lifted into a horizontal position and closes the aperture in the conductor F when the bolt is withdrawn and it is designed to close the closet 5 and for this purpose a groove is formed in the sliding door at h', for the admission of the trap-door. Said trap-door also serves'jto'prevent the disinfecting and deodorizing compound from falling on the aperture in the seat therein provided.

I Il are cords, having attached thereto, respectively, hooks and the weights* H, the said cords and weights being designed as adjuncts, if preferable, of the longitudinal spring G; or they may obviate the necessity of its employment. I I are guides for the weights attached thereto, as aforesaid. G is a spiral spring surrounding the bar o, which presses against the stud p and guide q. Bar 0 is rigidly attached to the stud p, and when the sliding cover E is pushed back it passes through an aperture provided in the guide q. The wedges, Fig. 4, are'designed to iit and cover the portable closet at b whenv the frame B is removed therefrom, one of the wedges being made longer than the other for the better convenience of tightening this part of the portable closet when it is designed to remove the same with contents.

I claimy K1. The removable frame B, with hopper D, having a bolt or pin, g/,for'holdingthe spring sliding door E, arranged with weights H for balancing it, and provided with the conductor F having aprons a f arranged to close the opening therein alternately, as set forth, in combination with the case A provided Witha perforated box or drawer, C, substantially as set forth.

2. The construction and arrangement of case A with perforated box or drawer C and guides I, weights H, hooks c, removable frame B with hopper D and bolt y, spring sliding door E with conductor F, and holders d carrying the weights H, stopsf, rod and spiral spring G, aprons ,f, and g, all substantially in the manner as herein shown and set forth.

In testimony of this my application for Letters Patent for combined portable and stationary disinfecting and draining closet and tank I hereunto subscribe my name.

J. M. LOEWENSTEIN.

Witnesses:

A. J. DAvEnN, JOSEPH MoNTALDr. 

